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Mary hoped she would never have to relieve herself in town again. The vapors had nearly overwhelmed her. Perhaps it was so nauseating because of the amount of use in town. Her uncle prided himself on keeping up with the newest innovations since he wished to invent things himself as well. He’d told her of a water closet and how they would eventually be available in towns and maybe even homes. While maybe a wishful dream of the future, she would have relished the thought of using one today. In the future, she would limit the amount of tea she consumed before traveling.
Glancing around, Mary tried to remember which direction she needed to go to get back to the church. Other than the day she arrived in Hillsboro on the stage coach and headed through the more populated part of House Springs on their way back to the Kincaids’ settlement, she hadn’t visited the town.
She took off in the direction of where she heard the most noise, assuming that it would most likely be coming from the gathering at church, she walked toward the mercantile, intent on making it back to the main street. As she passed an out-building behind the mercantile, a hand clasped around her arm and yanked her backwards as the man’s other hand covered her mouth to keep her from screaming. He didn’t feel like a large man, but he was stronger.
“Stop,” he ground out in a low voice. “I have a gun and I won’t hesitate to use it if necessary. In fact, I’m half tempted to make you a widow right now.”
Something about the voice made her shiver and so did his threat. But he said he’d make her a widow, not her husband a widower. Mary stopped struggling.
His grip eased a fraction. “If I take my hand off your mouth, do you promise not to scream?”
Mary nodded.
He let go of her arm, keeping his hand across her mouth. A second later, something hard pressed into her side. “I never intended you any harm, but you forced my hand by running off with this cowboy. If you squeal or draw any attention to us, I’ll have no choice but to shoot, and trust me, if any of your in-laws make the mistake of crossing my path, I’ll make sure they regret the day they met you.”
Before his hand lowered from her lips and she’d even turned to look over her shoulder, she recognized the voice as her stomach sunk like a lead weight. Calvin Peters.
“I left a letter for—”
“I know what you left for me.” Calvin put his arm around her waist securely, hiding the gun’s barrel behind her. “You didn’t have the decency to discuss things in person with me.”
With her arm at his side, it wasn’t likely anyone would see the gun handle. It was probably better that way, then nobody was likely to get hurt. When she left the note, she hadn’t considered his feelings, only her own. It was understandable that Calvin was upset. Perhaps she could reason with him. After all, he was an educated man, not some wild savage. At least she hadn’t gathered that from the things her aunt and uncle had told her about him before they began corresponding. They hadn’t told her he was a few years older than she was. Considerably older given that he was balding on top of his head. “I’m sorry I didn’t consider your feelings. Could we maybe just go somewhere and talk about this?”
“That’s exactly what we’re doing now.” Calvin pressed her closer to his side. “Smile for the nice couple,” he said as they were approaching a young couple, the woman obviously with child by the bulging tummy upon which she rested a hand.
He wouldn’t hurt them—would he? She thought about Sarah and Jessie before relenting. Mary forced a smile and nodded at the couple, as Calvin did. His stained teeth and smirk repulsed her. She reminded herself, she had to remain calm so that everyone else would be safe.
They stopped by a wagon at the far end of the mercantile. “Climb up and scoot over.”
She did as instructed. Her eyes skimmed the area, slightly hoping Marshall would make an appearance. If Montana showed up, it might only serve to agitate Calvin more, and he might make good on his promise. At least with Marshall being sheriff, she could only hope that Calvin would respect the position. “You do realize my brother-in-law is a sheriff?” She didn’t wait for Calvin to respond. “If you let me go, or at least put the gun down while we all talk this out, I’ll see to it that no charges are pressed against you.”
“If you think you’re going to hide behind him or his brother, think again.” Calvin glared at her. He reached for the reins and set the horses off in the direction opposite the church. “Last I heard, sheriff’s bleed, too.”
